Unemployment rates for several area counties dropped by a full percentage point in April, according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

Two area counties saw even bigger drops. Ford County's rate dropped from 10.5 percent in March to 8.3 percent in April, while Iroquois County's fell from 9.8 percent to 8.4 percent.

Vermilion, Douglas, Piatt, DeWitt and Edgar all fell by a full percentage point from March.

In Champaign County, the rate fell to 7.2 percent, down from 7.6 percent in March. That was the lowest since May 2009, when the rate was also 7.2 percent.

An estimated 7,643 Champaign County residents were out of work and looking for a job in April, while 97,999 residents were working, the state said.

Vermilion County's rate was 9.6 percent in April, down from 10.6 percent in March. The last time it was that low was 2008.

The state figured 3,507 Vermilion County residents were jobless and looking for work in April, while 32,858 had jobs.

Here are the April rates for other area counties and their changes from March:

— Coles, 8 percent, down from 8.3 percent.

— DeWitt, 8, down from 9.

— Douglas, 7.9, down from 8.9.

— Edgar, 9.2, down from 10.2.

— McLean, 6.2, down from 6.9.

— Moultrie, 6.7, down from 7.4.

— Piatt, 6.4, down from 7.4.

The statewide rate, not adjusted for seasonal variations, was 8.6 percent. Brown County in western Illinois had the lowest rate, 4 percent, while Boone County in northern Illinois had the highest rate, 12.8 percent.

Among the 12 Illinois metropolitan areas, Bloomington-Normal had the lowest rate, 6.2 percent, while Rockford had the highest, 11.9 percent.

Champaign-Urbana had the fourth-lowest rate, 7.2 percent, while Danville had the fourth-highest rate, 9.6 percent.

Among area cities, Champaign had the lowest rate, 7 percent, down from 7.2 percent in March. Urbana's rate dropped to 7.3 percent, down from 7.5 percent in March. Danville's rate fell to 9.7 percent, down from 10.1 percent in March.